An appreciation of the value of globalisation has led to an Australian university offering the chance for business students to complete American and Australian masters degrees simultaneously. A first group of 18 students have just completed Swinburne University of Technology's Global Leadership Programme, which is operated with Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts.

The Melbourne, Victoria, university claims the programme is the first of its kind worldwide. Over the past two years, a collaborative degree structure has allowed students to study either a master of business (international business) or a master of accounting from Swinburne, and a master of science in leadership from Northeastern University.

Louise Goold, director of Swinburne's Centre for Global Programmes, said: "With one degree taught by Australian academics and the other taught by American academics, the students get a unique education. I think they've found the style of the courses to be very different, not only in content but also in teaching methodology."

The system involves American lecturers travelling to Swinburne to deliver the leadership component of the programme, while students can also choose to study two units intensively at Northeastern.

"These aspiring leaders are now prepared for a global environment. They have a unique combination of qualifications, knowledge and skills which gives them a real cutting edge over other graduates," said Professor David Hayward, Dean of Swinburne's faculty of business and enterprise.

The programme is proving popular: the second intake of students this year grew to more than 100, and about 180 students are expected to enrol next year. Meanwhile, Swinburne is developing plans to offer a similar international programme on biotechnology and leadership with Northeastern by 2010.

keith.nuthall@uw-news.com


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